10 Strategies for Reducing COVID-19 Anxiety | Guest Post by David Martin
A few months ago, the coronavirus took over the world, and people worldwide have been making different changes to deal with it and what damage it has been doing during its course. When everyone around you is suffering and trying hard to fight for their life, this can cause depression and anxiety. I have collected ten different strategies that will help in reducing the COVID-19 anxiety and help in making you feel relaxed; the following are as under:
Make yourself believe that things are certain:
The coronavirus has spread fear amongst the general public. Still, with time in many different areas, the cases have decreased, while at the same time in many different areas, the cases have increased; nonetheless, coronavirus has changed the dynamics of the world. Even when you are scared, try to tell yourself that these things are certain and are bound to happen but at the same time, tell yourself that this will be over soon. Things will be back to normal; children will go to schools again, entertainment units will be open, you will be able to watch a movie or not wear a mask, and the world will be at the same speed as it was before the coronavirus.
Make sure to do breathing exercises:
Whenever you visit the doctor, they must ask for advice to keep taking deep breaths as that will help the entire body, and most of us don’t follow it, well, that is wrong. Take slow breaths from the nose for six counts and then exhale for six counts, and it will help reduce the sympathetic burst and greatly help a response that will be soothing to the entire system. Try to practice whenever you are free or feeling that the anxiety is taking over.
Ask for help:
Asking for help is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. Trusting someone with the issues you are having can be a hard task but make yourself believe that trusting them will provide you with a fresh perspective. You can ask for professional help to explain how and what you are feeling; you can arrange an online meeting so that help is available at all times. Even if you don’t want professional help, try to take a few sessions, and if things don’t get better, you can always change the doctor and look for a better one.
Keep connected to old friends and family:
Old friends and family know us from the start, giving them an edge on how you are and how you operate. With time, it is possible that you or they may not be able to give you enough time; prioritize these people and try to stay connected no matter what.
Talking to them, asking them about their day, and telling them about yours will help you feel less frustrated with everything going on and make you feel wanted and needed. Try to make daily video calls so that both sides are caught up in each other’s lives.
Practice mindfulness:
Mindfulness is a technique that helps you gain control of your emotions. For mindfulness, you must find a comfortable posture and take deep breaths. You should inhale for 4 seconds, keep it in for 2 seconds and then exhale for 4 seconds. During this process, your mind will wander off to different places, but no matter where it goes, try to bring its focus back to the breathing. Initially, it will wander off a lot, but you will gain control over time and practice.
Stay informed but try to limit screen time:
Sitting in front of the television or the internet and constantly checking up on what is happening around the world or how many people are suffering or how many have passed away will increase the anxiety that this pandemic is causing you. Try to stay informed but set a limit for yourself to get notified of the updates once a day and then not check on what’s happening. Try to watch seasons and movies that keep you hooked on other things while you are distracted.
Try to focus on positive things:
While many negative things are happening in the world, one cannot ignore the fact that at the same time, many positive things are happening too. You need to find the small little things that are happening in your life; maybe you just graduated or found a job, or your cat had kittens. These little things can improve your mood and will be able to show you that even if things are not okay right now, they will be in the longer run.
Maintain a routine:
One of the hardest tasks during the quarantine has been to maintain a routine. Maintaining a routine will let you be organized and not let you think about whatever is happening. Try to fix in fun tasks during work such as painting, drawing, or sketching as that will help you have fun during working hours and keep you distracted and looking forward to them.
Eat healthily and exercise:
With the anxiety on the rise, one wants to munch on junk food, but I’m afraid that’s not right and must be controlled. Try to eat healthily and maintain a balanced diet where you eat all the vegetables, fruit, meat, and dairy products. Healthy eating will keep you full for a longer period and help you not feel lazy and tired. On the other hand, exercise releases endorphins, which are known as pain killers or happy hormones; you can try doing high-intensity workouts. Still, if you are not up for it, you can try light exercises at home that you will easily find on the internet. Exercising and eating healthy is the best combination to keep you focused on the right things.
Reevaluate different areas of life:
Since the coronavirus has changed things worldwide, it is now food for thought about how life will be after this ends. We regret many things about our lives, and there are many mistakes that we have made over time. The goal is to reevaluate the life areas that you are not proud of and try to make amendments as life is too small, and anything can happen to anyone. Make things better so that you are peaceful with yourself and the decisions you have made.
**This is an opinion based piece from the guest author. It in no way reflects the views of Please Live unless noted on the Please Live site**.